St. Paul, Minn. – Federal, State and Local elected officials, business and civic leaders, Veterans Service Organizations, advocates, volunteers, donors and residents gathered at the Minnesota Veterans Homes – Montevideo to officially dedicate the facility. The Montevideo Veterans Home is one of three new Minnesota Veterans Homes that the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) opened this year.

“MDVA is honored to recognize the major accomplishment of opening this crucially needed home in Montevideo,” said MDVA Commissioner Brad Lindsay. “As our 285,000 Minnesota Veterans age, it is more important than ever that we can care for them in their final years.”

In addition to Montevideo, MDVA open two other Minnesota Veterans Homes – one in Preston and the other in Bemidji – earlier this year. Minnesota is the only state in the nation to ever build and open three Veterans Homes at one time. The three new Homes will allow Minnesota to serve almost 200 more Veterans needing skilled nursing care as they age.

Plans for the new Montevideo home became a reality after more than a decade of advocacy and planning and two years of construction. “Our community and our residents are excited to celebrate the beautiful space and the amazing teams that make the Montevideo Veterans Home a special place,” said Home Administrator Ashley Bormann. “The facility is absolutely beautiful, and our team members are thrilled to partner with our most treasured resources, those who served our country. This is really a meaningful day for our community and all southwestern Minnesota.”

Groundbreaking for the Montevideo Veterans Home took place in August 2021 for the 72-bed skilled nursing facility, located at 2190 William Ave. All residential units include private baths and are split into two sections and four “neighborhoods” of 18 Residents each, avoiding long hallways. Move-in day for the first residents was in January.

Long-time Montevideo community member and World War II Veteran William Homan, who served in the Army Air Corps, was the very first Resident at the Montevideo home. “I made many, many trips to the State Capitol, helping people understand the need,” said Mr. Homan. “I can’t tell you what an honor it is to be the first Veteran to move in. This will really benefit Montevideo and the area for a long time.”

To be accepted for admission, Residents must be:

• Discharged under honorable conditions from any branch of the U.S. armed forces and a current resident of Minnesota, who served 181 consecutive days on active duty, unless discharged earlier because of disability incurred in the line of duty.
• The spouse of an eligible Veteran who is at least 55 years old and meets residency requirements.
• Able to demonstrate a medical or clinical need for skilled nursing care.

County Veterans Service Officers are available to assist future Residents with the admission application process. Admissions inquiries can also be emailed to NewHomesAdmissions@state.mn.us.

To learn more about joining the team and working with our amazing Veterans in Montevideo, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/Careers.

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About MDVA
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet-level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the eight State Veterans Homes, MDVA helps eligible Veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach and Veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet for more information about benefits.